Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
JAH PRAYZAH and Winky D’s dominance will once again be in the spotlight, as the pair received additional nominations for the upcoming 24th National Arts Merit Awards ceremony.
Both superstars will compete in at least two categories, showcasing their dominance under the theme “Fearless Creativity.”
The awards ceremony, organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, is set to take place at Harare International Conference Centre and will honour works produced between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025.
Given the immense popularity of both artists, it will be intriguing to see how they fare against each other in these categories.
Fans are eager for a showdown that’s sure to light up the event.
Slated for February 28 this year, the ceremony, themed “Fearless Creativity”, promises a potent mix of established icons and vibrant new voices across diverse genres.
Below is the list:
NATIONAL ARTS MERIT AWARDS (NAMA)
24TH EDITION NOMINEES
- Visual Arts
Outstanding Female Visual Artist
Amanda Shingirai Mushate — Chimoro neHukoshwa Part 1
Sabina Mutsvati — Ndishonongoreiwo
Shamila Aasha — Healing Alchemy
Outstanding Male Visual Artist
Confidence Zinyeka — Intimate conversation
Pardon Mapondera — Dotipaiwo Mwenje
Tinotenda Chivhinge — Nonsense Hit Song
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist
Claire Munjoma — Shanduko
Tadiwanashe Joel Mafuta — Dismas
Crystal Vimbainashe Beseni — Maps of everything
Outstanding Exhibition
Ndishonongoreyiwo (Solo Exhibition) by Sabina Mutsvati, Curated by Fadzai
Veronica Muchemwa
Perfection is not always reality (Solo Exhibition) by Tinotenda Chivhinge, curated by
Doris Kamupira
CHEUKA Harare Art Fair curated by Laura Ganda and Merilyn Mushakwe
- Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actor
Cadrick Msongelwa as Squealer/Storyteller/Mr Jones in Zi Animal Farm
Elroy Takunda Musiiwa as Benjamin/Storyteller One in Zi Animal Farm
Ronald Sigeca as Prophet in These Humans are Sick
Outstanding Actress
Chidochashe Joanne Tenga as Bope in Can We Talk?
Tsungirirai Chenjerai as Snowball/Clover/Storyteller in Zi Animal Farm
Thandolwenkosi Nkiwane as Multi-characters in Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Theatrical Production
In search of a king by Celebration Church
Can we talk by Almasi Collaborative Arts
Zi Animal Farm by Savanna Trust
Outstanding Director
Daniel Dueschle — In search of a king
Leonard Matsa — Can We Talk?
Sandra Braddock — Ipi Ntombi
Outstanding Playwright
Tatenda Mutyambizi — These Humans Are Sick
Batsirai Chigama — Can We Talk?
- Literary Awards
Outstanding Fiction Book
Iluba lika ntunjambila by Polite Sibanda, published by Pre-dawn Publishers
My Affair with Misfortune by Sipho Mpofu, published by Elane Publishing Consultancy
The Toppling by Cynthia Rumbidzai Marangwanda Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Ltd
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book
Gonan’ombe Retsika Namararamiro eChivanhu by Morden Tavarwisa Published by Miamuty
Kurasika MuAfurika by Rumbidzai Caroline Kahari, published by Essential Books Publishing Company
The Essentials to Faithful Living by Michael H. Nyahwera, published by Beyond Today
Outstanding Children’s Book
Mukanyawashe’s Big Adventure by Gerald Shorayi Published by Essential Books Publishing Company
The adventures of Dafi and Rize by Wadzanai Tadhuvana by Kunda kids Publishers
The old river woman by Shakemore Dirani Published by Essential Books Publishing company
Special Mention:
The exciting story of Chipo the bird by Jean Taanashe Botso Published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Munashe The Clever Boy by Rigel Chabata Published by Essential Books Publishing Company
Outstanding First Published Work
Hanzi Huchi Hwenduri — Kubva Mukatikati by Ushehwedu Kufakurinani Published by Carnelian Heart Publishing Limited
The Killer Pastor by Entourade Usayi Published by Soar Publishers
Zvamuri Ndaimbova Zvandiri Muchava by Josiah Muchada Published by Sahara Publishers
Outstanding Female Musician
Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi
Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa, aka Nisha Ts
Ashleigh Angel Moyo aka Shashl
Outstanding Male Musician
Michael Mahendere, aka Minister Michael Mahendere
Emegy Chizanga, aka Freeman HKD
Mukudzeyi Mukombe, aka Jah Prayzah
Joyful Praise
Outstanding Song
Ruzhowa by Mukudzeyi Mukombe, aka Jah Prayzah
Admire Kadembo by Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa, aka Nisha Ts
Too Much by Carrington S. Chiwadza, aka Nutty O
Outstanding Album
The Notebook by Emegy Chizanga, aka Freeman HKD
Ndini Mukudzeyi by Mukudzeyi Mukombe, aka Jah Prayzah
People’s Choice Award
Principal Chigwida, aka Prince Chigwida
Leroy T. Zaware, aka Comic Elder
Wallace Chirumiko, aka Winky D
Mukudzeyi Mukombe, aka Jah Prayzah
Michelle Moyo aka Ritz Mcleish
Peter Tanyanyiwa